Ellie MacLulich

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When it comes to sewing I consider myself an enthusiastic intermediate. For me it's an enjoyable and rewarding experience and I am alway happy to challenge myself and I'm always thinking ahead to my next project.However knitting is a bit of a different story. While I do enjoy knitting, it's a little less consistent than sewing. The desire comes and goes in waves and is often spaced pretty far apart. As of last night I am officially back in a knitting mood and I am desperate to start!This was all triggered by a podcast I was watching by Katie from Inside Number 23 when she referenced the Indie knitting magazine PomPom. I got hooked (no pun intended) on the patterns in Issue One, in particular the Netherton Pullover! This style is right up my alley with the semi-slouch, cropped fit and 3/4 sleeves.

So without really thinking I bought it! And then I started looking over the instructions and my eyes just glazed. I really haven't worked much with knitting patterns before and the are nothing like sewing patterns. There's all there random number and letters and AHHH.After I regained my composure I started to think practically and I put the Netherton to the side and thought Socks, thats a safe bet and I'll probably see faster results, which suited me! Luckily the issue that I bought from PomPom also had a pattern for a really cute pair of sock, the Kipper.I'll admit that I'm a bit nervous but I am also really excite and in love with the yarn which I have purchased for the project. Sure it's garishly bright but that suits me and they are socks, so no one is really going to see them but me. If like me you are captivated by this colour way, the yarn is by a company called Manos Del Urugauy which, I was assured by the nice lady at The Granny Square in Newtown, is a company that really concerns themselves with fair-trade. It is from the Algeria collection and is called Morris!I'm hoping that by posting about this project it will keep me accountable and excited. I think I will probably do most of my updates over on my youtube channel so if you want to keep updated make sure you are subscribed. Once they are finished I will make sure to do a review of the pattern and show you the finished project.

A couple weeks ago, when scrolling through Net-a-Porter, pretending that I could actually afford to purchase anything and everything, I came across a pretty basic looking top from Marc Jacobs. Typically when "shopping" on Net-a-Porter I find myself drawn to overly detailed and eccentric things (in my mind I am a millionaire and we all know that millionaires wear some pretty interesting things), so it was kind of strange that I was being drawn to this top, but drawn I was!

Knowing that there was no way I could justify spending over $300 on a T-shirt, I decided that I would try my best to recreate it. I rummaged around the internet a while before I settled on a pattern from Tessutis, called the Frankie Top/Dress Pattern. Although there are a few differences (the neckline, sleeve shape and bust panel) I was happy with the loose silhouette on the lower half and honestly preferred the higher neckline and fitted sleeve.

In order to keep the boxy shape of the Marc Jacobs Shirt I decided to use thicker/more dense stretch fabrics, both of which I got from Tessuti (#notsponsored) and both of which didn't really have that much stretch. To compensate for the lack of stretch I cut one size large than my recommended size.

THE HACK!

This hack was so straight forward I don't think the process really even needs mentioning but hey! while I'm at it why not.

1) The first thing I needed to do was determine how far down I wanted the bust seam to be, so I quite literally held the pattern against myself and marked in pencil the seam line.

2) I drew and cut a straight line, at a right angle form the foldline edge.

3) At this point you COULD trace around each pattern piece (bust panel and lower body panel), adding a 1cm seam allowance to each new edge, but if you're lazy like me and go straight into cutting your fabric, just remember to cut the additional 1cm seam allowance.

Originally, just like the Marc Jacobs shirt, I only did the panel on the front pattern piece. However when I sewed it up and tried it on I thought I looked a little strange that there wasn't also a panel on the back. So I unpicked just about the entire garment and repeated the process for the back piece.

THE EMBELLISHMENT

I am still tossing up whether or not I want to go ahead with any embellishments. I know hat if I do it won't be as busy as what was designed on the Marc Jacobs shirt, it will probably just be some kind of iron on patch. I will put some images below of the patches I am considering, let me know what your thoughts are!

It has been a LONG time since I last uploaded a Monthly Sewing Makes video and I am SORRY! But I promise I have a good excuse .... I'm back at school. At the end of last year I decided to enrol in TAFE to study Fashion Design and Technology - essentially a glorified sewing course! It is the best thing that I have done for myself in quite a few years and although I am only 3 weeks in I can tell this is the right (and perfect choice) for me, I LOVE IT. So I hope you will pardon me for being so behind. I can't wait to tell you guys more about my experience and to see proof of my progress on camera, in these videos! So lets see how this goes hey?

This is probably my 3rd or 4th go at the Pauline Alice Cami "dress" pattern and I am just over the moon with it. It's probably my most used pattern in such a short period of time. I want it in every colour, every fabric and every length! I cannot encourage you enough to try this pattern, I truly believe t deceives MORE hype that it gets!

Pattern Size: I cut the 40 and it's a pretty comfortable fit. Fabric Used: I actually used a lightweight quilting cotton that picked up from a local quilting supply shop in Sydney. At $22/m it was a little pricy, but what can I say, I feel in love with the print!

Was It Easy To Follw: Yes, the combination of the printed instructions as well as the online Sew-Along, which has close up colour images, helped me to FLY through making this the first time - I actually got it out in about 5-6 hours - and now I don't even need to look at the instructions.

Alterations Made: As you can see I decided to shorten the pattern into a top and I also added some fun ruffles down the centre by gathering two strips of fabric, overlocking the raw edges (which I wish I had done in a white thread) and sewing it to the button placket. My first time making it, I took it nice and slow doing the collar, because it was my first one and I was a bit nervous. I also decided to forego the under collar on this version as I felt I didn't need it, I was more flattering/ comfortable to have a flat lying collar.

Hello Lovely Sewers,I'm not going to go into a who lot of detail in this post as I have already dedicated an entire video (which should be linked below) to a review of this shirt. I thought of all the items I have made this was probably the best to review because a) it's an independent French pattern company and b) because there were several things that I learnt whilst making it that I thought would be useful for anyone else wanting to have a go at it. If you're interesting in making the Menthe a L'eau I definitely would encourage this project. All over it wasn't a difficult make and I do think it is suitable for an advanced beginner! This is going to be a staple in my 2016 summer wardrobe! xx

Finding myself a bit unsure of what I want to make this month, I decided to forgo making an "October Sewing Plans" video. I think every sewer goes through these kinds of slumps, so I'm not concerned or upset by it, just simply waiting it out. In the meantime I bring you a HAUL of some sewing patterns and fabric that I am hoping will inspire me, and you if your experiencing something similar, out of this rut.